Axion signs up to plastics sector health and safety pledge

UK-based plastics recycling specialist Axion Recycling Ltd is among the first companies to sign up to a new industry-led initiative - SIMPL (Safety in Manufacturing Plastics) - formed to improve health and safety in the sector.

Supported by the Health and Safety Executive, the SIMPL initiative joins all parts of the industry, from polymer producers to trade organisations and unions, in an effort to boost progress on reducing accidents and ill-health within plastics-related businesses. It runs for three years from 2011 to 2014.

Keith Freegard, Director of the Manchester-based group, which includes polymer processor Axion Polymers, comments: “In health and safety terms, the plastics industry – and recycling in particular- has been identified as a ‘hotspot’ that needs some attention.

“From Axion’s viewpoint, we’ve always been quite proud of our professional approach to managing health and safety. But like everything else we do, if we can find ways to improve it or polish up any areas where we could do better, then we will. We think the whole ethos and concept of this SIMPL project is exactly what the industry needs.”

By signing up to the SIMPL pledge, firms demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and safety record of the industry as a whole. In return, employers can get help with achieving this within their own businesses.

Keith, who is also a representative of the British Plastics Federation’s Plastics Recycling Council, explains that the strategy includes sharing best practice with cross-fertilisation of ideas between different groups and making sure basic minimum standards are being adhered to.

He adds: “By pulling together, it is hoped the industry will begin to see real improvements that will contribute to a safer working environment for all.”

UK-based Axion Group develops and operates innovative resource recovery and processing solutions for recycling waste materials. The Group works with a wide range of clients, from Government agencies and local authorities to companies in diverse commercial sectors, on the practical development of new processing and collection methods to recover value from waste resources.

Related news

Since the inception of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974, there has been a successful drive to bring a responsible attitude towards fundamental health and safety processes to both employers and employees. As a result we now look on health and safety warnings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as normal, realistic practices that save lives. But is it entirely accurate to assume that health and safety is a marriage of equals?Seeing the signs It is common for safety to come to the fore of statistics...

The U.S. Department of Labor`s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation`s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the coordination and cooperation between the agencies regarding the anti-retaliation provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act. The memorandum allows for the exchange of safety, coercion and retaliation allegations, when received by one agency, that fall under the authority of the...

Stonehouse Signs, a Colorado-based company that manufactures customizable visual communication products for safety and accident prevention, was able to quickly meet the needs of workers helping to rebuild after the state’s recent, historic flooding. An out-of-state company repairing damaged railroads urgently needed customized, reflective safety signs for its project. Stonehouse was able to respond quickly, delivering the signs in 24 hours. The company’s products are often used for industrial applicatio...

Coca-Cola Hellenic has become a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter, a European Participatory Platform, initialised by the European Commission that aims at the reduction of road fatalities. The signing event, which took place on Tuesday 1 February in Brussels, was attended by the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas.
Invitees and signatories had the opportunity to participate in Road Safety Workshops, organised by the European Road Safety Charter team.
Th...

Customer comments

No comments were found for Axion signs up to plastics sector health and safety pledge. Be the first to comment!